[Question #1552] Male with past partner high-risk
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92 months ago
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Hello,
While browsing this forum I've seen separate instances of similar questions, I'd like to just re-ask to see if potentially your opinion would be the same regarding my situation. I'm a 31 year old male with 5 total sexual partners my lifetime, all within committed relationships.
I entered into a committed relationship a little over a year ago, once my girlfriend and I started to have sex (with a condom) she revealed that she had been treated because of an abnormal pap for Type 16 and 18 high-risk HPV, and that her doctor had thought she had cleared the 18. I talked to my doctor and his opinion was quite unconcerned in that he thought that condoms, or trying to pay the high price for an out of pocket vaccine wouldn't help much and that I shouldn't be concerned. We resumed our physical relationship without using condoms (oral and vaginal) and without me taking the vaccine.
A year has passed and we recently separated (likely I was exposed consistently 1 year ago). My questions would be:
-Is there any information I should get from my ex-partner regarding her infection (if she ever cleared the virus, timings, etc)?
-Should I disclose this information to any future partners?
-Is there anything else I should be concerned about?
-Am I likely a carrier (within statistics) or anyway to know?
Helping me understand this situation and my best course of action would be much appreciated.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
92 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. thanks for your question. before I address your specific questions, et me state that as a 31 YO male who has had 5 sexual partners and multiple exposures to all or most of them, it would be most unusual if you had not already been infected with HPV, including the so-called high risk HPs which would include HPV16 or 18. You have also likely cleared those infections. Finally let me commend both your ex for her disclosure and for your own level-headed acceptance of her disclose. I will now address your specific questions. I think you will find that I do agree with your doctor.
-Is there any information I should get from my ex-partner regarding her infection (if she ever cleared the virus, timings, etc)?
No, nothing about her prior infections or treatment for dysplasia would influence you or your future partners. I should also point out that it is more likely than not that your prior partners also are likely to have had HPV infections as well and that you may well have been infected before you started going out with her. Well over 60% of adults have HPV by the time they have been sexually active for more than a year.
-Should I disclose this information to any future partners?
No need for disclosure. While disclosure is always a desirable way to go, there remains a lot of mis-understanding about the infection and its implications for future health. Thus, in your judgment, if you feel comfortable and your read on your partner is that they will be accepting and not troubled then that is fine but there is no health measure that I would recommend related to your past history or consequence from non-disclosure.
-Is there anything else I should be concerned about?
No.
-Am I likely a carrier (within statistics) or anyway to know?
Please see above. You have likely been infected in the past (multiple times). Like most people you have also likely cleared the infection and at your age there is little risk for future infection. (Infection rates and carriage of HPV tend to decline with age)
I hope these replies are helpful to you. thanks for your question. EWH